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Weekly Communicator
January 6, 2022
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At the center of your being you have the answer, you know who you are, and you know what you want. Sometimes we discover our purpose by examining our intentions. Consider: What is the purpose, what do you intend to do, and who will be impacted. Join Lay Minister Alberita Johnson and Worship Associate Leslie Gatto as we explore "Living with Intention" Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 10:30AM via ZOOM. | |
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Dear UUCFM Congregation
We are saddened to report that Lee County’s risk factor has now reached the “severe risk” level due to the widespread omicron variant: https://covidactnow.org/us/florida-fl/county/lee_county/?s=27751665
We will not be holding worship services in our Sanctuary until the risk level has returned to a safer level. Our return to Zoom-only services is out of concern and love for each of you. We are hopeful that we will be back together in person soon.
Other gatherings on campus may proceed in cautious compliance with our re-opening guidance, found by clicking here.
As always reach out to me with any questions at UUCFMPresident@UUCFM.org or 239-222-9406.
Yours in Growth,
Lane Cook
President, UUCFM Board of Trustees
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Please send all newsletter articles by
12pm Wednesday for publication in Thursday's newsletter.
Send articles to newsletter@uucfm.org
**Please do not send requests to the office manager email**
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January 6 Vigil for Democracy
Where: UUCFM covered porch
Time: 5PM-6PM
Contact persons:
Mary Cline Golbitz - mary@uucfm.org
and Alberita Johnson - albiej@uucfm.org
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SAVE THE DATE,
PARTY COMING!
Sunday, January 30th at Noon, the Generosity Campaign will host a party for all in the Screen Room. Beverages and ice cream will be provided. Bring your own sack lunch and be ready to be entertained.
Details to follow.
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Faith Exploration Program
for Children and Youth
I missed everyone last Sunday - especially our children and youth. Another shut-down in our Sanctuary and Children/Youth Programming because of the pandemic. We are not meeting again next Sunday, January 9. After that we don't know when we will reopen but hopefully on the 16th. We will be looking at the risk levels again. When our older youth come back, we will be visiting the gardens and developing a plan for starting a garden if the youth agree to put their energies into it. I look forward to better days ahead when we will be together again. In the meanwhile, take a walk in our wonderful campus. Bring friends. Have a picnic together. Plan on getting together outside and enjoy our incredible space.
Warmly,
Karen Brown, Acting Director of Faith Exploration
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Building Community Safety For All | |
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The MACC
The Music and Arts Community Center
2021 - 2022
Season Tickets
On Sale Now
The GCS comprises the Gulf Coast Symphony, the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra, the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective, and the Music & Arts Community Center (MACC). This year over 100 programs will be offered that present the best in classical music, jazz, world music, dance, opera, film and musical theater.
Ticket prices range from $24 - $44
As you know, there's not a bad seat in the house!
Tickets and seat choice can be purchased online or at the door.
For more info visit
gulfcoastsymphony.org
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Truth and Democracy Women's March/Fair
There is a Truth and Democracy Women's March/Fair taking place in Naples on January 15. Click the link if you want more info and would like a free ticket.
Click here
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The Youth Group thanks everyone who supported the Food Drive. We have bags and bags and bags of food to give to the South Ft. Myers Florida Food Pantry. Since we closed our Sanctuary for worship for a short time due to Omicron, our Drive has come to an end. | |
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Please Share Your UU Story
The Membership and Stewardship Committees are hoping to receive your reflections about either or both of the following:
Why I became a UU.
Why your membership in UUCFM is important to you.
We would love to be able to share these reflections with the Congregation in various ways. If you want to remain anonymous, please indicate that.
Send your stories or reflections to Nancy Hutchins at StewardshipVP@UUCFM.org.
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UUMUAC MONTHLY "THIRD WEDNESDAY" WORSHIP SERVICE
For January and February, 2022
7:00 pm Central Time (8:00 Eastern, 6:00 Mountain, 5:00 Pacific)
The Religious Professionals Task Force of the Unitarian Universalist Multiracial Unity Action Council is sponsoring "Third Wednesday" evening worship services on the third Wednesday of each month. To get Zoom information, whether for the next Worship Service or those in subsequent months, please send your name, email address, and congregation (if any) to richard3point@gmail.com.
DATE: January 19
PREACHER: Rev. Dr. Mellen Kennedy
SERMON: "Medicine for Our Times ~ Living the Legacy of Howard Thurman"
DESCRIPTION: Howard Thurman's life and teachings are the perfect medicine for our times. Thurman was called, "a saint of the Civil Rights Movement", by Rep. John Lewis. Thurman was a universalist, a mystic, an outstanding preacher, a scholar and a professor at Howard University and also Boston University and one of the most influential African Americans of the last century. He had a profound impact on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You're invited to join us as we learn from and let Thurman's insights, challenges and paradoxes wash over us with hope. Our contentious world so needs his wisdom and healing words today. Thurman wrote and preached on the power of Negro Spirituals and the Springfield, VT, UU Meetinghouse Choir Director, Julane Deener and virtual choir, will join us with some great music for this journey.
DATE: February 16
PREACHER: Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels
SERMON: "Liberal Religion"
DESCRIPTION: Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion, not because of our progressive politics but because of our commitment to the ideals of liberalism. Liberalism in the classic sense is not an ideology, but a method for resolving conflict, gaining knowledge, and advancing toward truth. Our liberal approach to religion and to all that concerns us as religious people is a precious inheritance. Abandoning the principles of liberalism would mean losing an essential part of who we are.
For past services, type
"Third Wednesday UUMUAC services"
in the YouTube search box
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Big Opportunities for You…
Are you a helper?
Do you like to promote UUCFM?
Here’s your invitation to join the Membership Committee! The group is all about recognizing and encouraging new members through personal contact and planned events. There is one meeting per month, a chance to get to know other members AND to participate in activities like the November “Welcome Home” social. Contact Carole Latino, carolelatino@gmail.com
Another Opportunity…
UUDialogs is a lively discussion every Sunday after service; it’s live from Hobart Hall and simultaneously on Zoom. The talk is moderated by co-hosts. More co-hosts are needed, so check it out. Assignments are made around your availability. Talk to Carole Latino, carolelatino@gmail.com, to sign up, or get more info.
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New Connection Circles Forming
What? A Connection Circle is a small group meeting every other week for six sessions. Facilitators will lead discussion on a variety of subjects.
Who? Any members, friends or guests. Facilitated by trained leaders, Mary Cline Golbitz and Leslie Gatto.
Why? To get to know others and yourself on a deep and meaningful level. Confidentiality is protected to promote compassionate dialogue.
When? Either Thursdays or Sundays (Please plan to attend all six sessions of the circle you choose.)
Thursday Circle from 1:30 - 3:00 on January 13 and 27, February 10 and 24, March 10 and 24.
Sunday Circle from noon - 1:30 on January 9 and 23, February 13 and 27, March 13 and 27.
Where? Thursdays by Zoom or Sundays in person at church (location TBD).
How do I sign up? Contact Leslie by phone or text at 239.850.9664 or email at gatto.leslie@gmail.com to join or for more information.
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Monday Book Group
The UUCFM Monday Book Club will meet via Zoom at 1 o’clock January 10 to discuss Chapters 2, 3 & 4 of Defund Fear: Safety without Policing, Prisons and Punishment by Zach Norris.
If you’re joining for the first time, please email Mary Studer at mstuder929@gmail.com to get the Zoom link.
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Social Issues Book Group
You are cordially invited to join us in our new book discussion. We will read Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration. We will reconvene our zoom group on Wednesday, Jan 5 from 1:30 until 3pm and discuss Part 1, pages 1-15. To add your email address to our list please contact: helen.leddy@gmail.com who will provide us with discussion questions for reflection.
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Mindfulness Opportunities
We welcome you to join either of our two online sitting practices each week. We practice mindfulness and discuss a reading. If you don’t have the books, you're still welcome to sit with us.
The Monday Sangha meets at 6:30-7:45 p.m. and will continue discussing Thich Naht Hanh’s Happiness: Essential Practices. Contact mstuder929@gmail.com for details.
The Wednesday sangha meets between 10:00-11:30 a.m. in coordination with Caloosahatchee Mindfulness. It’s discussing Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication by Oren Jay Sofer. Contact Helen Leddy for more information: helen.leddy@gmail.com.
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Invitation from Ministry for Earth
Plastic is Ubiqiutous…….it maybe gets recycled, but it doesn’t go away.
To learn more, tune in to the Emmy Award winning documentary, From Overwhelm to Grounded Action; the Story of Plastic. This special program, on January 11, explores the struggle of workers for dignity in the face of the plastics industry.
After watching the film you can gather for an hour of spiritual grounding and community building for climate justice.
If you can’t watch together on the 11th, or join the forum, you can register here and view The Story of Plastic documentary anytime between January 4-14. Learn more and register here.”
The climate impacts of plastics are undeniably overwhelming. Together, we remember we are not alone and that each of us can do something.
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Poetry Group
Judi Dettorre & Cat Pivetti are starting a poetry group on Tuesday, January 4, which will meet from noon to 2pm every two weeks.
We plan to read and discuss a variety of poems and to spend some of our time writing to prompts, as well as to have meetings in which, if they wish, members may bring in their own work for discussion. This group will meet on-line, at least for now.
We’re really looking forward to this experience and to having you join us. Please e-mail either facilitator, Cat at joypivet@aol.com or Judi at judidet84@gmail.com, for more information and for links.
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60th Anniversary Pave the Way Fundraiser | |
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How to order your brick:
Contact Helen Dixon at helendixon9@gmail.com
or call 239-633-4989
or
Contact Suzanne Ziemer at
suzanneziemer@gmail.com or call 812-332-3450.
Each 4"x8" brick can be engraved with up to 3 lines of 13 characters/spaces on each line.
Your check for a $100 donation should be made to UUCFM with Brick fundraiser in the memo line.
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Congratulations! You have ordered 60 commemorative bricks! We need 40 more orders to reach our goal of 100.
Ideas for engraving: Remembrances with birth-death dates, UU sayings/messages (Believe in truth, work for Justice), your name with personal wishes or identity, meditate at the Labyrinth, Honoring..., In Memory of..., etc.
Your entire Brick donation goes to the General Budget since our Endowment Fund Grant will pay for all production costs. This is our only Fundraiser since the Covid-19 Pandemic prevents us from being together.
Grateful thanks to all who have contributed bricks!
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The Bill Brewer Family Gardens | |
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UPDATE
We still have garden beds for rent for anyone interested. New participants are gardening with us this year and we have a compost building project that will be adding vital nutrients and soil organisms to our beds for healthier vegetables and herbs. As the season progresses, we will be holding classes that will be open to the public. We also plan to bring some of our produce to the congregation after services on Sunday, once we have more to offer.
The Cub Scouts, who rent two of our beds, were busy planting Milkweed as a part of a learning experience, stressing helping the ecosystem. Two are by the gazebo and two in their beds.
Harvests have been made for about four weeks, which are going to food banks and an outreach café that prepares free meals. More beds have been planted and will be productive soon.
Prices are $85 for a 4 x 8 bed with automatic watering, $75 without.
Our year is from October 15th to the following September 15th.
Please contact garden manager Bonnie Jean Clancy
at familygardens@uucfm.org if you are interested in renting a bed.
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Play Reading Fun Group
The first meeting of this fun and exciting new group will take place Sunday, January 16th, 2022 at 12:00pm.
We will meet in the Screen Room to enjoy reading aloud with others. Previous theater experience is not necessary; it's purely social.
UU related plays and one acts will be furnished to start. We will have a blast writing plays, transferring favorite short stories into plays and be open to other sharing ideas. Tony Borras has done theater work and will be part of the group. Additional meeting times TBD after our first meeting.
Please bring your own bag lunch!
For further information contact Suzanne Ziemer at
239-463-9020 or via email at suzanneziemer@gmail.com
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Great Decisions 2022, a program sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association, has openings for its 21st season. The 8-week course will start on Thursday, January 20, and ends on March 10, 2022, and will be held in person at UUCFM.
The facilitator for the group is Bruce Leddy. Information about Great Decisions and the 2022 topics can be found on the FPA website at fpa.org.
For registration and information about the local group, contact Helen Leddy at helen.leddy@gmail.com.
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